Not my first grow but first grow log!

[Pedro de Pacas]

Removed the reflective fence...it just trapped too much heat, I'll have to figure out something else for extra reflection...I need more potting soil, two of the babies are too leggy for my own taste!

[Puffzter]

That fencing looks pretty cool otherwise man.
Cant u lift it a bit over the floor so cool air can be sucked in under it?
That would certainly lower the temperature in the "bowl" it creates.

Puffzter

[Pedro de Pacas]

Why didn't I think of that?

[jakezking]

Would you be able to staple the windshield sunshade up against the wood veneer? I agree with Puffz that lifting it would allow a wind tunnel effect, thereby serving to reduce the heat. I really like your setup though - it's something I could do; and, I am trying to come up with some cheap, effective, and easy ideas for an indoor grow to begin later this year.

I can't wait for your lil' ladies to get bigger. I need to do some research on these strains, as I don't know a thing about them, but they sound good. Keep up the good work - I'm already looking forward to an update.

Be good out there!

[Pedro de Pacas]

Bought some organic potting soil, used it to add support to the two leggy babies and prepared the bigger pots once they're ready to repot (all I'll say is that they're square, 8" X8" X7" and that you guys'll get a good laugh when you see them... ah those Dollar store prizes! ).

I didn't follow a set mix, I'd guess-timate it at 3 parts organic potting soil, 1 part vermiculite and 1 part perlite. :wtf4:

I reinstalled the reflective fence to create that wind tunnel effect...I'll gauge the success of it when I monitor the temps tomoprrow morning! Again I used 'dollar store prizes': glue-on coat hooks and paper clips to hook the 'fence' up.

I'm still seriously considering the 150 watt HPS kit I found on Ebay (very reasonably priced too) for flowering this grow...matbe suppement my big CFL with a red PAR LED bulb or two to keep the temps down?

[Pedro de Pacas]

Okay, raising the reflector fence seems to have brought the cabinet temperatures down to a safer level. I took the babies out for a watering and took a group picture:

[Pedro de Pacas]

Random thoughts about this grow:

• While the current light array is far from perfect it's serving the purpose: the KC36 is growing short and bushy. If it's any indication of what the Oasis plants will look like (it is 9 days older than the Oasis plants) I'm laughing!
• The LED grow discussion has gotten my attention. Less power consumption, energy savings, less of a chance of the Landlord becoming suspicious, cooler cabinet temperatures, savings on AC, etc. The Cree Xlamp kit has my attention, it (or perhaps two of them) might be the perfect solution for my 'stealth cabinet grow' setup...I'm waiting for them to reply to my shipping quote request.

CFL's have served me well so far (okay, well enough ), but the heat buildup from the multiple ballasts can't be good for the plants, and quite frankly the heat buildup makes me nervous...I might be a bit paranoid but I don't want to start a fire!

[Pedro de Pacas]

Okay, I did a lot of number crunching and at this stage, getting a 150 Watt HPS kit would be cheaper than the suitable LED alternatives. I'd still prefer an LED grow light, but..

• I'm currently using a total of 170 watts in CFL's for vegging (that's the actual wattage, the incandescent equivalent would be about 600 watts)
• 150 watts of HPS would use 20 watts less of energy while providing better light penetration (according to what I've read so far)
• Ok, so I did get a Chinese-made LED panel...as long as it works I'll use it for supplemental light, I didn't pay much for it and extra red spectrum won't hurt.

So this is turning into a true 'mixed light' grow: CFL for vegging and HPS/LED for flowering...
:hippy:

[Pedro de Pacas]

Okay, changes! The reflector fence was too bulky and in the way, so I lined the wardrobe walls wil aluminium foil (yea, I know, mylar's better but foil's cheaper and easier to find! ).

I figured that more space would improve air circulation too. Next, I replaced the aluminium turkey pan reflector - it trapped too much heat underneath. Which brings me to the next point: wood for a light fixture, poor choice, wood warps!

The new reflector is a "cookie sheet" (also aluminium) which should trap less heat. Also, I made sure the ballast wasn't covered to make sure its heat rises to the top of the wardrobe.

I'll try to take tempreature samples to see how well this works out, the temps were up to 35,9 Celsius when I decided to make the change. Photos...KC's still bigger than the rest (since it's 9 days older); leggy 1 & 2 seem to be catching up, stubby is showing some developement...and looky here: one of the seeds I thought was dead has decided to pop out...I got 5 plants out of the bunch! Only 3 non-viable/dead seeds...to be expected I guess!

This is turning into one long, slow vegging period, but flowering will happen under 150 watts of HPS, I can't wait to compare the results to my prior all CFL grows!

:hippy:

[McDanger]

Foil is junk, flat white paint, you can do the whole cab for under $10. You need to exhaust that heat out of the cabinet, blowing it to the top won't cut it, get exhaust and passive intake, or leave the door open a little at least. You will need to change that when you go to flower though.